Organizing Ideas for Tools

This is by far my favourite way to organize my hand tools. Pegboard run along a wall takes up far less space than does a cabinet and it makes it easy to find what you need very quickly.

When you install your pegboard, make sure to back the top and bottom of it with a spacer so that the board doesn't lie flat against the wall. You can then use hooks, or other appropriate fasteners, to hang things. To save money, I made my own hooks from stiff wire to hold lighter items. Wire snippers made it possible to cut an appropriate length and then pliers were used to curve the wire into an 'S' shape. To organize this system even more, you can lay out everything on the pegboard and then trace their outline with a permanent marker. This way, anyone will know exactly what tool goes where and you won't wind up with this:

Another solution for using wall space is the magnetic bar. These bars are very strong and can hold chisels, scissors, drill bits, and even hammers. You can even use these tools in the kitchen to hang knives.

I can recommend two ways to organize your hardware, such as screws, nails, nuts, bolts, etc. The first option requires that a shelf be built above your workbench. You can then nail jar lids to its underside. Sort your hardware into appropriately-sized glass jars and screw them to the lids nailed to the shelf. Another option is to use compartmentalized boxes, like those used for beads or fishing lures. This method has the dual-purpose of being portable. Label the front of the boxes to make it easy to identify the contents. This is also a great way to organize your drill bits.